Improvement in curtain-fixtures



JOHN F. WOLLENSAK.

Improvement in Curtain Fixtures.

Patented April 16, 1872p mii um" a t F Wzznam'w'. V {nvenlafl AM. moro-uruoqnume ca. N I mam/-153- FROZIJSJ Unrrnn STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

JOHN F. VVOLLENSAK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CURTAIN-FIXTURES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,712, dated April 16, 1872; antedated March 30, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. WOLLENSAK, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented an Improved Curtain- Fixture and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which Figure l is an inner side elevation of my improved curtain-fixture. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same, showing the opposite side. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the shade-pulley.

Similar letters of reference in the accompan yin g drawing denote the same parts.

My invention has for its object toimprove the construction of curtain fixtures whereby the same-are rendered moresecure and efficient in their operation than those heretofore employed. To this end the invention consists, first, in constructing the pivoted rollers or plates which receive the ends of the'shaderoller in the form of grooved rings, each havin g one side closed by a ratchet-plate provided with a recess in its outer face. By this construction the ends of the shade-roller are completely inclosed within a. metallic case, the ratchet-plate forming the end thereof, through which screws or nails are inserted to hold the roller within the case, while the recesses in the plates prevent the shade-roller from dropping down should the pivots by which the cases are supported in the brackets become broken or displaced. In addition to the security of the shade-fastening thus obtained, the plate forms a guide for the operating-cords, to prevent its lateral displacement from the groove of the pulley, and also a ratchet-wheel to act in conjunction with a spring-pawl for holding the shade in any desired position. The invention consists, secondly, in constructing the basket which supports the roller and its operating devices in such a manner as toadapt the fixtures for application to a window-casing or to the ceiling of a room, over the window. The invention consists, thirdly, in the combination of a springpawl and flanged roller with the ratchet-pulley, whereby the pawl engages with the ratchet, to hold the curtain at the desired elevation, and at the same time adapts the pawl to be disengaged and the roller operated by a single endless cord.

In the accompanying drawing, A is the ring which receives the end of the shade-roller, cast with a peripheral groove for the operating-cord, and with an end plate, B, whose face is recessed at 0 and provided with a center pivot or stud, D, by which it is hung in the bracket. The plate extends beyond the periphery of the ring, forming a flange, D, for the same, and is provided with ratchet-teeth to engage the spring-pawl E. The bracket is composed of the base F and the arm G, all cast in one piece, the latter receiving at its end the pivot D of the pulley, which is held therein by the screw H. The inner face of the bracket-arm G is formed with a projection, I, which enters the recess in the face of the ratchet-plate B. If, therefore, the pivot of the pulley should become broken or displacedan accident of frequent occurrence where heavy shades are used--the shoulder formed by the recess would drop down upon Q the projection I, and the curtain thereby prevented from falling. The grooved pulleys are secured to the shade-rollers by nails or screws which enter the ends of the latter through the plates B in the ordinary manner. By constructing the pulley as above described a metallic case is formed which incloses the ends of the shade -roller, and which is provided with a guide-flange, D, to prevent the shade-cord K from being thrown out of the groove. The pawl E is pivoted to bracket-arm, and extends under the pulley to engage the ratchet-teeth, being held in such position by the spring M. This spring is interposed between the bracket and an'arm, N, projecting from the under side of the pawl, and surrounds a short guide-pin, one end of which bears against the arm N and the other end enters a recess or hole in the bracket, as shown at 0, Figs. 1 and 2. P is a small flanged pulley pivoted to the inner face of the pawl at its free end, in line with the groove of the shade-pulley. The operatingcord K passes over the grooved pulley; thence downward into its inner part, in contact with the pulley P, as shown in Fig. 2. In either case, when it is' desired to roll up the shade, a

downward pull upon the inner part of the endless cord disengages the pawl and ratchet, allowing the latter to be rotated, which is accomplished by a continued pull upon the cord. The

flanged pulley P acts as a guide for the endless cord and as a lever to depress the spring-pawl.

By this arrangement a locking curtain-fixture is produced capable of operation by a single cord.

My improved fixtures are designed more especially for heavy shades, and are constructed to be used as rights and lefts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The ends of a shade-roller, consisting of the grooved ring A, recessedend plate B, cordguide and ratchet D, and the pivot D, all cast in one piece, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

2. The bracket constructed, as described, of

the base F and arm G I, all cast in one piece, in combination with the grooved and recessed pulley, as herein described, for the purpose specified.

3. In combination with the grooved pulley for shade-rollers, as described, I claim the spring-pawl E and flanged roller 1?, all adapted for operating by a single cord, substantiah ly as described, for the purpose specified.

The above specification of my invention signed by me this 10th day of July, 1871.

JOHN F. WOLLENSAK.

Witnesses:

W. T. KEENER, HENRY S. TOWLE. 

